Beware The 'Free' Inspection Trip!

A 'free' or cheap inspection trip can look too good to be true, and that's because in most cases they are! Many overseas property companies offer either a free or very cheap trips to see their latest developments. Yes it is very tempting to spend a few days in a fabulous, hot location looking at properties, dining out and getting away from it all. But check the small print first.



We have spoken to many potential buyers who felt cheated by the whole experience. Firstly, their accommodation was at best very basic, and in other cases cramped and filthy. It was possible to upgrade but at an extra cost.

Others talk of being taken in large groups to see properties totally unsuited to their needs, way outside their stated budget or no where near where they were expecting to visit.

And of course then there is the hard sell. As a client on a guided trip you could endure sitting through very slick presentations by highly skilled sales people who know which buttons to press to get you to sign up. All in all it can turn out to be a bad experience where you end up buying something you really didn't want.

The Ideal Inspection Trip

However, it doesn't have to be like this. Some companies offer individual guided tours similar to what a UK estate agent would do. You pay to fly to the location, choose your own accommodation or pay to use the agent's apartment in the area. You are free to choose which properties to look at and your locally based guide (usually an expat who lives there) can take you around, answer all your questions and give unbiased advice.

Yes you do have to spend money, but with today's cheap flights it needn't be prohibitive. When you consider you are looking to invest a large sum of money in a property it makes sense to spend a few hundred pounds to help you make the right decision.

So before you sign up for a free or cheap inspection trip abroad, think again. Ask the company what is involved or find a property agent that will do individual escorted visits.